Boys Soccer: Mother Nature playing tricks on La Salle

SPRINGFIELD — Apparently, Mother Nature likes to play tricks on the La Salle College High boys soccer team.

Last year, as the Explorers were trying to win their first Philadelphia Catholic League championship in five years, a rare late-October snowstorm forced the delay of the PCL semifinals and made La Salle to have to win three matches over four days to qualify for the PIAA state tournament for the very first time.

Now, this year, Hurricane Sandy caused a disruption in the postseason once again.

La Salle defeated Archbishop Ryan in a shootout on Saturday to advance to the PCL final for the third straight year. At the time, the championship match was scheduled to be played Tuesday at Ryan, with the winner then moving on to play in the District 12 Class AAA final against the Public League champion on Thursday.

By the time Father Judge had beaten St. Joseph’s Prep in Saturday’s second semifinal match at Ryan a few hours later, the PCL final had already been pushed back to Wednesday night on the turf field at William Tennent. Then, the winner of Wednesday’s title match would move in to the District 12 final, moved back from Thursday to Friday.

By Tuesday, however, the PCL was pushed back yet again, La Salle and Judge now set to meet Thursday at 5:45 p.m. at Tennent. The District 12 final, therefore, will be on Friday, tentatively to be played at Northeast High.

“We felt that since both schools (La Salle and Father Judge) were closed Tuesday, and when we’re closed, there are no activities, it only made sense,” Explorers head coach Bob Peffle said Tuesday afternoon.

This will allow both teams to get in a day of practice on Wednesday.

“There’s a matter of preparation, and safety issues,” Peffle added, “and you didn’t want to have three days off and then go right into a game, let alone a final.”

“It was a concern for both teams. It’s difficult to just go into Wednesday’s game.”

Again, though, conditions may dictate further moves. Both La Salle and Judge will be closed for classes on Wednesday.

Despite Sandy having mostly left the area, its impact remains visible throughout the region. As of Tuesday afternoon, much of the area around William Tennent High was still without power. It was unknown if all routes to the school were passable as of Tuesday evening and the school district will remain closed again on Wednesday.

The PIAA state boys soccer playoffs are scheduled to begin next Tuesday. Prior to Sandy, the PIAA had required all district playoffs to be completed by Saturday evening. Monday, however, the organization sent out word that it would be more flexible regarding the district deadlines due to Sandy, but still expected to begin the state tournament Tuesday as scheduled.

The winner out of District 12 would take on the fourth-place Class AAA finisher from District One, but District One has still not played its semifinals, final or seeding matches yet, as well. The fifth-place consolation matches of District One set for Tuesday were postponed and the semifinals slated for Wednesday had not been formalized as of Tuesday afternoon.

Last year’s PCL semifinals were set to be played on Saturday, Oct. 29. The snowstorm moved the semis to that Monday, pushing the final back to Wednesday and the District 12 final played on Thursday.

La Salle ended up having to win three matches in four days. And the Explorers did just that. So maybe Mother Nature was not playing any tricks on the soccer team. Then again, she certainly did not provide any treats.